LeishVet update and recommendations on feline leishmaniosis

Limited data is available on feline leishmaniosis (FeL) caused by Leishmania infantum worldwide. The LeishVet group presents in this report a review of the current knowledge on FeL, the epidemiological role of the cat in L. infantum infection, clinical manifestations, and recommendations on diagnosis, treatment and monitoring, prognosis and prevention of infection, in order to standardize the management of this disease in cats. The consensus of opinions and recommendations was formulated by combining a comprehensive review of evidence-based studies and case reports, clinical experience and critical consensus discussions. While subclinical feline infections are common in areas endemic for canine leishmaniosis, clinical illness due to L. infantum in cats is rare. The prevalence rates of feline infection with L. infantum in serological or molecular-based surveys range from 0 % to more than 60 %. Cats are able to infect sand flies and, therefore, they may act as a secondary reservoir, with dogs being the primary natural reservoir. The most common clinical signs and clinicopathological abnormalities compatible with FeL include lymph node enlargement and skin lesions such as ulcerative, exfoliative, crusting or nodular dermatitis (mainly on the head or distal limbs), ocular lesions (mainly uveitis), feline chronic gingivostomatitis syndrome, mucocutaneous ulcerative or nodular lesions, hypergammaglobulinaemia and mild normocytic normochromic anaemia. Clinical illness is frequently associated with impaired immunocompetence, as in case of retroviral coinfections or immunosuppressive therapy. Diagnosis is based on serology, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), cytology, histology, immunohistochemistry (IHC) or culture. If serological testing is negative or low positive in a cat with clinical signs compatible with FeL, the diagnosis of leishmaniosis should not be excluded and additional diagnostic methods (cytology, histology with IHC, PCR, culture) should be employed. The most common treatment used is allopurinol. Meglumine antimoniate has been administered in very few reported cases. Both drugs are administered alone and most cats recover clinically after therapy. Follow-up of treated cats with routine laboratory tests, serology and PCR is essential for prevention of clinical relapses. Specific preventative measures for this infection in cats are currently not available

Análise de crescimento de Digitaria insularis Growth analysis of Digitaria insularis

Digitaria insularis é uma espécie perene, que se reproduz por sementes e rizomas, sendo de difícil controle após a primeira floração. Visando definir técnicas para o manejo integrado dessa espécie, o seu crescimento foi avaliado em casa de vegetação, em recipiente plástico contendo 0,003 m³ de solo. Avaliações de altura, área foliar e massa seca foram realizadas em 15 épocas, entre 14 e 112 dias após a emergência (DAE), em intervalos regulares de sete dias. Foi utilizado o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições. As plantas foram fragmentadas em raiz + rizoma, colmo e folha. Posteriormente, determinou-se a área foliar e a massa seca das diferentes partes após secagem a 70 ºC em estufa com ventilação forçada, até massa constante. Os valores máximos de área foliar e a massa seca foram atingidos aos 98 e 105 DAE, respectivamente. As folhas apresentaram maior participação no acúmulo de massa seca total, seguida por raízes+rizomas, até os 105 DAE. O acúmulo de massa seca de Digitaria insularis foi lento até 45 DAE. A partir dessa época, verificou-se rápido acúmulo de massa seca nas raízes, o que pode ser atribuído à formação dos rizomas. Os valores da taxa de crescimento relativo (TCR) foram decrescentes com o tempo, devido à maior alocação de fotoassimilados para estruturas formadas com o desenvolvimento da planta. Digitaria insularis apresenta crescimento lento até 45 DAE, sendo este rápido a partir dos 45 até os 105 DAE, sugerindo a possibilidade de bom controle cultural dessa espécie por culturas que tenham crescimento inicial rápido, grande área foliar e que cubram rapidamente o solo.<br>Digitaria insularis is a perennial species that reproduces from seeds and rhizomes, being difficult to control after its first flowering. In order to define integrated management techniques to this species, its growth was evaluated under greenhouse conditions, using a pot filled with 0.003 m³ of soil. Height, leaf area and dry matter evaluations were carried out between 14 and 112 days after emergence (DAE), every 7 days, at 15 different times. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized block design, with four replications. The plant was fragmented into root+rhizome, stem and leaf. After drying at 70 ºC, leaf area and dry matter were determined. Highest leaf area and dry matter values were verified at 98 and 105 DAE, respectively. Leaves showed higher participation in dry matter total accumulation followed by roots+rhizome, up to 105 DAE. Dry matter accumulation of Digitaria insularis slowed down up to 45 DAE, increasing due to rhizome formation. Relative growth rate values decreased along time due to higher photo assimilate accumulation. Digitaria insularis showed slow growth up to 45 DAE, increasing from 45 to 105 DAE, suggesting the possibility of good cultural control by crops that have fast initial growth and large leaf area, covering the soil rapidly